The Department of Home Affairs has officially launched the digital platform for the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at increasing tourism from India and China. The new system allows vetted tour operators to submit group visa applications digitally, eliminating the long-standing challenges of red tape, lengthy queues, and slow processing times that previously hindered travel from these major source markets.
Before TTOS, South Africa had only two visa processing missions each in India and China to serve their combined population of 2.8 billion. Under the new digital-first system, tourists from these countries, when using approved tour operators, will no longer need to visit a mission, fill out individual forms, or stand in queues. Instead, visas will be issued digitally within three days, significantly enhancing efficiency and accessibility.
In 2023, South Africa received only 37,000 tourists from China and 79,000 from India. By streamlining the visa process through TTOS, the government aims to drive rapid growth in visitor numbers, boosting tourism and job creation. Minister of Home Affairs Dr. Leon Schreiber highlighted the speed of implementation, stating, “Taking TTOS from concept to launch in less than six months underscores our commitment to digital transformation and economic growth. Research indicates that for every twelve new tourists, we create one job in South Africa—showing the direct impact of this initiative.”
Minister Schreiber also acknowledged the contributions of South Africa’s in-house development team and praised the collaborative efforts of Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshaveni, and Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille. He emphasized that TTOS exemplifies how the Government of National Unity is working together to grow the economy and create jobs through innovative solutions.
